Time Out says

3 out of 5 stars

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Users say
(8)

5 out of 5 stars

Time Out says

3 out of 5 stars

Double Crown seemed to have so much going for it when it opened in 2008—a beautiful space, prime location, talented chef. Some critics, like this one, found plenty to love in the quirky focus on British colonial Asia. But who can predict long-term success?

When novelty fizzles and the hot crowd moves on—as they seemed to so quickly—a few tweaks won’t do it. An overhaul might.

And so we have Saxon + Parole, a new restaurant in that old space, run by all the same players. The concept this time could’ve been focus-grouped among the downtown cognoscenti, habitués of Minetta Tavern, the Lion and Waverly Inn. We’ve seen the chophouse menu, classic cocktails and Mad Men vibe before. But still, it works. The restaurant at 316 Bowery is packed once again.

If you’re looking for a new East Side clubhouse, this place will do. The crowd feels right and so does the equine setting in wood and leather (the restaurant was named for a pair of prized 19th-century racehorses whose portraits hang on one wall). AvroKo, still the city’s most dynamic restaurant design team—and co-owners here—have done a remarkable job as always with the decor, combining old-fashioned luxuries (crystal punch bowls twinkling behind the bar) with its trademark macabre sensibility (a cutting-board wall jabbed with knives heading down to the basement).

Brad Farmerie of Public, still co-owner and chef, has brought the menu in line with the look, going for the easy sell with mostly familiar Continental fare: crowd-pleasers like big shellfish platters and oversize steaks.

A mini mason jar of portobello mushroom mousse, a dish for the table so rich it’s like trompe l’oeil foie gras, delivers a rare thrill in an otherwise humdrum lineup. Egg salad folded with chopped razor clams is upscale coffeeshop cooking with its aioli and chervil—tasty, yes, but not very exciting. The actual foie gras offering, a dense torchon, is textbook creamy, and straight-up boring.

Only a few hints remain of Farmerie’s old fusion flair, a globe-trotting accent here and there. White miso adds an umami lift to a split-and-roasted marrowbone; chili-caramel sauce shifts a brussels sprouts side over to Southeast Asia.

Meaty entrées, like a fat and juicy pork chop on purple potato salad, are much more ordinary. Even a terrifically supple monster serving of short ribs—Guinness-braised meat falling off its brontosaurus bone—is pretty run-of-the-mill. With a side of cheesy cauliflower, though, it makes for fine insulation in cold weather.

Desserts follow in the same dull but comforting vein. There’s a moist Christmas pudding, ushering autumn into winter, that’s better than what a British granny might ship across the pond—but not by much. The chocolate soufflé here is more impressive: warm and eggy, as it should be, but also tame.

All of this food is just fine as a backdrop for cool conversation with friends, a sponge for stiff drinks that leaves little impression. For now, anyway, the scenesters gobbling it up each night seem to think that’s enough. And this time, who knows, they just might stick around.

Drink this: Though bottles of house label Parole Whiskey line a shelf in the dining room, the actual product (currently being distilled out in Brooklyn) isn’t drinkable yet. You can get excellent dark spirit cocktails here nonetheless, including an exceptionally smooth maple Sazerac with pecan milk. But barkeeps Linden Pride and Naren Young keep the focus here mainly on gin, including martinis delivered in tiny glass pitchers in bowls of crushed ice. There’s great sour-sweet house-made tonic, too, served in a tall glass with Breuckelen gin and a grapefruit wedge (all cocktails $14).

Sit here: Saxon + Parole offers a maze of seating options, the most secluded being down in the dark basement. The real scene, though, is upstairs near the long bar.

Conversation piece: In the late 19th century, Saxon and Parole were thoroughbreds in the stables at tobacco heir Pierre Lorillard’s country estate just north of New York (Parole, the real prizewinner, earned more at the time than any other horse in America). The AvroKo team has a weekend home up there in Tuxedo Park, which is where they found inspiration for their restaurant makeover.

Attended a friend's engagement celebration here last week and although we just got drinks, the atmosphere and food swirling by makes me want to go back for dinner! The wall of unique drink options made it overwhelming to decide on a beverage, but I went with the homemade ginger beer. It has the perfect punch of ginger to spice things up! I also tried my friend's Whiskey Mash, which was cool and refreshing with an appreciated heaviness to it, as it consists of old grand-dad bourbon, muddled red grapes, pinot noir grappa, white balsamic, citrus, and mint. Would love recommendations on food options here since everything looked great!

Saxon + Parole is an amazing restaurant. The service is impeccable, and the decor stunning. The team has thought of every detail, even the wine room features an amazing ceiling installation of horse shoes! The menu is vast and everything on it is delicious (I rarely eat red meat, and after having a bite of my friend's steak, I was tempted to order my own - it was that good). Definitely a must visit.

I love this restaurant! It's very large and roomy inside, even though there's a full-scale bar in the front room. The cocktails are delicious and well-made—My personal favorite is their take on a Moscow Mule. And definitely don't undermine the appetizers—their mushroom mousse is heaven on earth. Even folks who hate mushrooms will like it. When I was there, I filled my stomach with drinks and apps alone, but I can only imagine how delicious the dinner menu must be.

Drinks, Burgers and Ambiance are the first 3 words that come to mind when I think about Saxon + Parole.

I went here with a friend on a Sunday night, it was calm, not too crowded and the waiters were all super nice. The menu selection isn't super large but there is definitely something there for everyone. I do want to go back and try a few other things, but I will be back!

There aren't enough good things I can say about the food, service and atmosphere in this restaurant! Everything I have tried has been extraordinary, the staff is always happy and friendly and the cocktails are delicious! The location is really convenient and it is refreshing to find a restaurant of this caliber in this neighborhood that is still relaxed and inviting to customers.

I came here for brunch on a Sunday with some friends, and it was outstanding. One of us was incredibly hungover, and the waitstaff made sure that her bloody mary was just right, she always had plenty of water in her glass, and that there was extra ice with her diet cola drink. Everything was great - the bloody marys really hit the spot (a perfect amount of booze, chilly and deliciousness), the interiors are well thought our and considered, and the food menu had a lot of flair and interest, with an interesting take on brunch classics. Apparently the dinner menu is even better, so no doubt I'll be coming back soon!

Everything I had was delicious!! Don't miss apps like the mushroom mousse, cocktails that were PERFECTLY mixed and extra strong, and the burger royale, which is a personal favorite. The must-have dessert is the s'mores, which come in a jar. Smoke comes out when you open it and it has the real campfire taste!

Even though this restaurant has been around for a few years, I only just made my first visit. It's part of the wonder of living in a city where there are thousands of restaurants, with new ones popping up all the time, and taking years to finally visit one. And so, I finally made it to Saxon + Parole in the East Village.
For my drink I ordered the Bowery Fix (Altos blanco, mezcal, yellow chartreuse, fresh bell pepper, chili oil). This drink was incredible. A slight hint of sweetness and lots of rich heat join forces for this beverage.
You can read the rest of my review with photos here:
sprungonfood.com/2013/12/27/saxon-parole